Very reliable sources indicate that Kelly Layne has withdrawn her horse, Udon P from the Australian DressageTeam to go to Aachen, but she remains a member of the team for Rio. There was a feeling that it didn’t matter so much that Kelly had scratched from Rotterdam because she was going to Aachen where she and her horse would be tested – firstly fitness-wise (Udon P was trotted twice and sent to the holding box at Odense before being passed) and secondly in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the CHIO. It would seem very strange, if the pair were able to go to Rio on the Australian team on the basis of a 6th placing in the very weak three star at Odense. At the very least it should have been a requirement for Lyndal (who missed Odense) and Kelly (who missed Rotterdam) to compete successfully at Aachen before their places in the team were confirmed.
definitely an elephant in the room
Other riders from Australia completed requirements for selection.
do you think kelly’s horse will be fit enough for Rio
We are asked to support our Australian riders, and we do.. but all we ask a fair go.
All three who were in need of our help did the right thing and competed in both tests, and because they did, they opened the door for horses that didn’t because of the scoring system
It would be only fair to those of us who have supported our own locals, with money and morally to see that a horse that only started in one competition fronted up to Aachen against those. who started in both..
To say she prefers to concentrate on getting prepared for Rio, sits really really badly… is Ms Battam comfortable with this? Does she have no power to insist Udon P starts?
Kim says above there’s an elephant in the room… yes of Mastodon proportions and we are yet again NOT happy with the dressage selections.
Yes, agree entirely with Fran..!!
…groan…not again…
Why do people take any opportunity to “put the boot” into the selected team members based on very little information? Kelly has consistently performed at a high level which formed the basis for her selection. Brett Parbury had also withdrawn from Aachen but no one is making any comments about him!!!! (Nor should they!) . The team has been selected… How about we support them!!!!